Charles Chuck Krause

Charles "Chuck" Krause, a leader in the field of otolaryngology, whose contributions affected the lives of countless people around the country and internationally, died Thursday in Naples, FL. He was 75. The cause was a rare form of lymphoma. Dr. Krause was professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Michigan for nearly twenty years. During his tenure he led the department to a premier position among academic institutions internationally. He later served as chief of clinical affairs, senior associate dean, and senior associate hospital director at Michigan. A gifted surgeon and mentor, Dr. Krause dedicated himself to the highest standards of professional training, academic research, and patient care. Ever the calm and thoughtful visionary, he served his profession with distinction. He was president of several national organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Society of Head and Neck Surgery. In retirement Dr. Krause served as Chairman of the David Lawrence Foundation, was Founding Chair of the Marco Avow Hospice Community Advisory Board, served on the steering committee of the Guadalupe After-School Program, and was a class president of Greater Naples Leadership. Dividing his time between Marco Island, FL and Leland MI, he spent many happy hours on the golf course, building intricate wooden model ships, reading widely, supporting Michigan athletics with enthusiasm, and visiting with his beloved family and dear friends. He was an inspiration and a moral compass to many. His loss leaves a deep hole in the hearts of his family, friends, colleagues, students, and patients. Charles Joseph Krause was born April 21, 1937 in Slater, Iowa to William Henry Krause and Ruby Irene Hitz. Valedictorian of his high school class and varsity basketball and baseball player, he received his B.A. from the University of Iowa. In 1962 he earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa. The same year, he married Barbara Ann Steelman. He interned at Philadelphia General Hospital in 1962-63 and served in the Air Force from 1963 to 1965. He returned to the University of Iowa in 1965 to complete his residency, and was subsequently asked to join their faculty. In 1977 he was recruited to become professor and chair of Otolaryngology at the University of Michigan. He is survived by his beloved wife of fifty years, Barbara, his daughter Sharon Krause (Tayhas Palmore) of Providence, his son John Krause (Estefania Bortolin) of Chicago, and his daughter Ann Golseth (Ryan) and grandchildren (Dylan and Jackson) of Tucson. He loved and was loved deeply. He made the world a better place, and inspired countless others to do the same. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Charles J. Krause to the Lymphoma Research Foundation (www.lymphoma.org) or the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Michigan (www.med.umich.edu/oto).